About Buddhism

Buddhism is a major world religion that arose from the inspiration and teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni (624 BC). It is a complete way of life concerned with the wholesome development of the individual.

Buddhism can be best summarized by the words of Buddha himself:

Learn to do good,
Cease to do harm,
Control the mind,
And benefit others.

Buddhism teaches us how to overcome our problems and difficulties by understanding and preventing their causes, and how to find inner peace and happiness.

Whereas we usually look to outward circumstances for the causes of our problems, Buddha taught us to look inwards. He showed how our feelings of dissatisfaction arise from negative states of mind--primarily anger, attachment, and ignorance--and offered practical methods to eliminate these by developing generosity, compassion, wisdom, and other positive states of mind.

Through cultivating these qualities, we discover an inner state of peace and strength.

Kadampa Buddhism - Buddhism for the Modern World

Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (982-1054 AD).

Kadampa Buddhism offers modern-day Buddhism designed for Westerners. It offers Buddha's timeless techniques in a way that is easy to understand and apply in our daily lives.

Most Kadampa Buddhists, including the vast majority of teachers, practitioners, monks and nuns, are Westerners. Thus, the emphasis is on helping Westerners gain access to the beauty and wisdom of Buddhism.

Transforming daily activities

By integrating their knowledge of all Buddha's teachings into their practice of Lamrim (the stages of the spiritual path to enlightenment), and by integrating this into their everyday lives, Kadampa Buddhists are encouraged to use Buddha's teachings as practical methods for transforming daily activities into the spiritual path.

The great Kadampa Teachers are famous not only for being great scholars but also for being spiritual practitioners of immense purity and sincerity. The lineages of these teachings, both their scriptural transmission and realizations, were passed from teacher to disciple from the time of Atisha, and spread throughout much of Asia. Now, thanks largely to the tireless work of Ven. Geshe Kelsang, they are spreading to many countries throughout the world.

Wheel of Dharma

Buddha's teachings, which are known as "Dharma", are likened to a wheel that moves from country to country in accordance with changing conditions and people's karmic inclinations.

The external forms of presenting Buddhism may change as it meets with different cultures and societies, but its essential authenticity is ensured through the continuation of an unbroken lineage of realized practitioners.

Click here for information about the New Kadampa Tradition

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